Meeting Agenda
1. Matters relating to the Constitution of Japan
Opinions were heard from the following representatives of each
political party and group on how the business of the Research Commission
on the Constitution should be run.
HANASHI Nobuyuki (Liberal Democratic Party)
KANO Michihiko (Democratic Party of Japan)
HIRATA Yoneo (New Komeito and Reformers' Network)
NODA Takeshi (Liberal Party)
SASAKI Rikukai (Japanese Communist Party)
ITO Shigeru (Social Democratic Party)
2. Request for Attendance of Expert Informants
Decision was made, after consultation, to hear opinions from experts on the process by which the Constitution of Japan was formulated and enacted.
3. Appointment of Acting Chairman
Chairman Nakayama announced that KANO Michihiko (Democratic Party of Japan) had been appointed Acting Chairman.
Outline of Statements by Party Representatives
HANASHI Nobuyuki, Liberal Democratic Party
>> The Constitution should be examined from a wide perspective to arrive at appropriate conclusions.
>> First of all, it is necessary to ascertain the historical circumstances in which the Constitution of Japan came into being. We should proceed with our discussion after we have reached a common understanding of the historical circumstances.
>> For this purpose, I would like to request the minutes referring to the proposed amendments to the (old) Constitution made at the 90th Imperial Diet session and the reports of the Commission on the Constitution which existed in the Cabinet between 1957 and 1964.
>> In the future, I would like to seek opinions from informants recommended by each party.
KANO Michihiko, Democratic Party of Japan
>> Our stance is that we should debate on the Constitution with a view to designing a model of Japan for the 21st century.
>> We should conduct broad and open debates, steering clear of old protectionist and revisionist arguments.
>> We should continue to place great importance on the three key principles of "sovereignty of the people", "respect for fundamental human rights" and "pacifism" embodied in the Constitution.
>> We need, however, to examine carefully whether the present Constitution is adequate to meet sufficiently the changes in the international situation and the social and living conditions of this new age.
>> From the standpoint of creating a model of Japan, we should proceed with an overall review of Japan in the 20th century and an outlook for Japan in the 21st century.
>> It is important that our debate should proceed in full public view.
HIRATA Yoneo, New Komeito and Reformers' Network
>> After reaffirming that the three basic principles of the present Constitution remain immutable, we will discuss the direction Japan should take in the 21st century.
>> We understand that the process by which our Constitution came into being should be a matter for discussion. However, the fact that the present Constitution has taken root deeply in the public over past half a century also carries considerable weight, so I believe it is necessary also to examine how the Constitution has come to gain such strong popular support.
>> In my opinion, the Constitution has won this far-reaching public support because the principle of respect for the individual lies at its heart.
>> We should conduct our debate on the constitution that fundamentally reconsiders what kind of country Japan should be from the standpoint of protecting the dignity of the individual. Research on the Constitution should be based on a global perspective and embrace both historical developments and future outlook.
NODA Takeshi, Liberal Party
>> It is more than half a century since the present Constitution was enacted, and in that time various problems have arisen which have resulted in a gap between its ideals and reality.
>> The constitution is the embodiment of the foundation that determines the form of our country. Looking back over the 20th century and ahead into the 21st century, we must conduct research with a view to creating a new constitution that will form the basis of Japan for the next 100 years.
>> In our discussions, we should attempt as far as possible to establish the objective facts and reach a common understanding among the members of the Commission. At the same time, we should strive to shape public opinion by having public debates in the Diet.
>> To go ahead, together with the people, with work on building a new nation in the 21st century, we should strive to take in public opinion at large by holding meetings of this Commission all over the country and making good use of the Internet and other media.
>> It is an important mission of this Research Commission to conduct research on the process of producing the present Constitution, its interpretation and application, and how the people view it. It is also very important, however, to make comparative studies of constitutions internationally; comparisons of provisions regarding national security and crisis management, citizens' rights and duties, decentralization of power, and procedures for constitutional revision.
>> This research should be conducted on a clear-cut schedule and should lead to clear conclusions.
SASAKI Rikukai, Japanese Communist Party
>> The aim of this Research Commission on the Constitution is to conduct "broad and comprehensive research on the Constitution of Japan". The Commission should never be used as leverage for amending the Constitution.
>> Looking ahead into the 21st century, it is important to examine the pioneering nature of the Constitution of Japan with respect to the five principles of "popular sovereignty and national sovereignty", "perpetual pacifism", "fundamental human rights", "parliamentary democracy", and "local autonomy".
>> Turning to the discrepancy between the Constitution and real politics, it is important to shed light on why and how this has arisen. The root of this problem lies in the fact that the ideals of the Constitution have not been expressed in the real political world.
>> It is also necessary to accurately scrutinize the process through which the Constitution came into being and its historical developments up to the present. It has now been clearly established that just one year after the Constitution came into effect, the U.S. government began planning to revise Article 9.
>> It is essential for us to conduct "broad and comprehensive research" from the standpoint of safeguarding the Constitution.
ITO Shigeru, Social Democratic Party
>> This research on the Constitution is an issue that is deeply connected with the path Japan will take in the 21st century.
>> Our party is opposed to the revision of the Constitution. The three basic principles of our Constitution are a clear statement of the universal ideals and aims of modern society.
>> The ideals of the Constitution of Japan look ahead into the 21st century. It is important that we hold fast to the ideals and aims of our Constitution and strive to make them into actual implementation.
>> It is even more important to discuss our future vision for Japan than amendments to particular provisions of the Constitution.
>> In conducting "broad and comprehensive research" on the Constitution, it is essential to thoroughly examine constitutional infringements that have arisen since its enactment and to shed light on the causes of these infringements.